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HB 1504 · 2026 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

Banning price gouging on essentials

AI-generated

prohibiting retailers from engaging in price gouging on certain necessary products and services.

Prohibits retailers from raising prices on necessary goods and services except in certain circumstances and authorizes governmental prosecuting authorities to sue retailers engaged in price gouging.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Prohibits retailers from raising prices on necessary goods and services, except in certain circumstances. II. Empowers any governmental prosecuting authority to sue a retailer engaged in price gouging on behalf of the state.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Alexis SimpsonDPrimeDemocratic Leader
  • Rep. Daniel VeilleuxDDeputy Ranking Member· Transportation
  • Rep. Laura TelerskiDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Rep. Peter BixbyDRanking Member· Environment and Agriculture
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader

Also: Rep. James GruberD, Rep. Mary Hakken-PhillipsD, Rep. Nancy MurphyD, Rep. Rosemarie RungD, Rep. Sanjeev ManoharD, Rep. Toni WeinsteinD

Public testimony

24 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

63% support38% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Seems impossible to regulate however this is a start to protect consumers”
— Lisa Ayer, Manchestersupports
“Price gouging on necessities during a declared state of emergency is predatory, opportunistic and should not be permitted to be committed against citizens of this state. I support this bill”
— Jennifer legier, Camptonsupports
“Prevents exploitative pricing during emergencies, protecting low-income and vulnerable communities.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports
“I oppose this bill because it does not expand transparency, protections, or meaningful benefits for New Hampshire residents.”
— Tiffany Gladu, Goffstownopposes
“Only monopoly organizations like SCHOOL BOARDS have the ability to price gouge. So called anti gouging laws prevent a price signal to draw entrepreneurs to solve a problem and compete for the customer.…”
— tom luther, claremontopposes
“Until items "...used to preserve, protect, or sustain life, health, safety, or economic well-being of a person or his or her property" is defined, this bill is unacceptably vague. This bill could be arbitrarily used to prosecute do to lack of specificity.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2910:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing
  • 2026-02-182:00 pmHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing
  • 2026-03-031:00 pmHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 1 P. 23
  2. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 01:15 pm GP 229
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/18/2026 02:00 pm GP 229
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
  5. Mar 3, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/03/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 10 P. 8
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 12

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.